MA Gambling Board to Hold Public Forum in Springfield

The board that oversees gambling in Massachusetts will host a public forum in Springfield tomorrow (Wednesday). The event is intended to discuss a number of issues potential host communities of a casino and bordering towns could face going forward. Panel discussions will be held on community mitigation, tourism and marketing as well as workforce development. Commissioner Bruce Stebbins is from Western Massachusetts and he says those who might be involved in building a casino in the region have voiced concerns about how contractors will be selected for such a project.

“We need to get a viewpoint on the job scenario from the construction trades as well, I know there are folks out in Western Mass. who are worried about the size of the project and how that may impact the contractor that gets chosen.”

The Commission announced today (Tuesday) that following the forum it will release the actual application for potential casino developers to be considered for an operating license. This is the first step in the process of selecting the three casinos across the state, one of which will be located in the western four counties of the state. Those submitting applications also must pay a $400,000 fee. The public forum will be held at Western New England University starting at 12:30 in the afternoon.

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